You’re probably familiar with the story in Exodus 17 where Moses ordered Joshua to fight the Amalekites. During the battle, as long as Moses’ hands were raised, they were winning, but when Moses got tired and lowered his hands they began to lose. In case you’re a little fuzzy on the story, in Exodus 17, verses 10 through 13, the Bible says this:
“So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up – one on one side, one on the other – so that his hands remained steady till sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.”
Often times this story is mentioned when highlighting our responsibility to hold up the hands of our spiritual leaders. I don’t believe that it directly correlates, but I do believe that the sentiment is sound. Though our pastors, evangelists and preachers may not need us to physically hold up their hands in the midst of a literal battle, like Aaron and Hur, we should support them, so to speak. I challenge you to encourage your pastors and let them know that they’re not standing alone in the ministry God has called them to. If they feel like they are operating solely on their own, they may become overwhelmed, and their arms may begin to fall. If our pastors are spiritually healthy, their flock will be also. We can stand in their corner to show them that we’re right there with them in the fight, encouraging them, or even physically helping them, when they are weak or overwhelmed.
---
I encourage you to send your pastor an uplifting email or card, volunteer for some of the less glamorous church ministries, and pray for him and his family often. I believe that like Aaron and Hur, we have a responsibility to stand alongside our pastors with love and support as they go about doing the work of the Lord in our body. And I hope you would agree.